Rudder for boats



Aug- 3". w. J. sNADECkl RUDDER FOR BOATS Filed Aim. 28. 1924 Alum I1mm!!! 9 awuauto'c 7 William J- Snadeckl. 951M emm Patented Aug. 23,1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM J. SNADEGKI, OF WESTOVER, VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR TO RICHARD CRANE.

RUDDER FOR BOATS.

Application filed August 28, 1924. Serial No. 734,696.

My invention relates to improvements in means for correcting thewhirling motion of the water set up by the revolving of a marinepropeller, and more particularly has reference to vanes, plates, orplanes aft of the propeller against which the whirling water strikes andby which it is more or less straightened out. Due to the pitch of theblades of a propeller the water set inmotion thereby naturally whirls incorkscrewlike fashion creating considerable disturbance proportionate tothe energy applied, and considerable percentage of which is wasted dueto the fact that it is expended more or less laterally instead ofdirectly astern.

One of the principal objects of my invention is to correct or minimizeas much as possible this lateral disturbance of the water so as tothereby increase the thrust or bite of the propeller and its efiectiveforward effort against the water.

In the accompanying drawings, I have illustrated in Fig. 1, the stern ofa boat with vanes or blades upon the rudder, thus embodying anapplication of my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a suitableform of rudder showing the application of two vanes preferably curved.Fig. 3 is a similar view showing an arrangement of three vanes, and Fig.& is a plan View looking down upon the rudder.

5 is the hull of the boat, 6 the propeller thereof, 7 the rudder, and 8the rudder post. 9, 10 indicate two vanes or planes, one on each side ofthe rudder. These are preferahlv curved as shown and follow immediatelyin the wake of the propeller. These vanes ride against and upon thedisturbed water, tending to iron out or smooth the same, therebyreducing the disturbance and keeping the water more solidly behind theworking surfaces of the propeller. In Figs. 2 and 3, I have shown twoand three vanes respectively, and of course it will be readily understood that any number of vanes may be employed and may be positioned andformed in various ways as may be found desirable. In small boatconstruction, these vanes and planes also serve as a planing surfacewhich becomes more and more effective as the bow lifts when under speed.By this method of smoothing out the lateral agitation of the water, theefiort of the screw is more eifective and works against a denser medium,thereby increasing the speed with a given output of energy. The bladesalso tend to have a steadying effect and tend to minimize the rocking ofthe boat on its transverse axis.

Of course it will be understood that various modifications may be madein the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from thespirit of the invention as claimed.

I claim In combination with the rudder of a selfpropelled vessel,vertically spaced vanes projecting laterally from both faces thereof,said vanes curved about a transverse axis.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

WILLIAM J. SNADE CKI.

